FicWad

Never Will You Be Alone

Chapter Four-Maybe Someday

Dawn cracked one relunctant eye open as the first rays of sunlight peeked through their motel window. A small giggle escaped her lips as she found herself staring directly at Stephen's closed eyes. She took this rare moment to study him, to memorize his features. 'Just so that I can pick them out anywhere..' Dawn thought. 'And no one would be able to fool me trying to be him...' Her green, sleep filled orbs took in his nose and wandered down to his lips where they stayed. As if her hand had a will of it's own, it raised to trace his lips. A small gasp parted her lips as she felt the familiar tingle that came with touching him. Dawn jumped as his brown eyes opened.

"What are you doing?" He asked. Dawn's face turned red. She struggled against the arm that was locked around her waist. His arm tightened around her waist and she found herself yanked back down next to him.

"Just...uh...trying to get up." The leg that had been wrapped around his own two was still bend in a 'L'. She had propped herself up with a hand on his strong chest. Stephen quirked an eyebrow. "And you won't let me go..."

"Mmm..." he moved his body in a kind of lazy stretch. "Still kinda don't want too..." He admitted. Dawn's eyes widened and a flush came to her face. A small smile touched her lips.

"Okay..." She whispered, before snuggling back down into his arms. A comfortable silence fell over the teens as they lay there. 'This is not something "just friends" would do...' Dawn realized quietly. 'This is more of a couple thing...'

"Did you mean what you said last night?" Stephen asked in a low tone. Dawn smiled and nodded.

"Every word," she promised. Stephen smiled and brought his other arm to join the one around her waist. He hugged her tightly. "This is a very pleasant change from the Stephen you were when I first met you..." Dawn smiled as she hugged him back. "You know with all knocking my feet out from underneath me and pinning me to the ground."

"I could still do that you know," Stephen teased as he propped up on his elbows. She giggled up at him and pushed against his chest. He laughed lightly and rolled off of her. Dawn smiled at his back as he stood up.

'I could get used to seeing this side of him...' Dawn thought as she too got to her feet. "You know I try to be all that I can." Dawn sang gently. Stephen turned around and fought off a grin.

'She's singing while she makes up the bed...the inn keeper is going to love her..' He thought with amusement before paying attention her.

"But there's a part of me I still don't understand. Why do I see what I don't have. When my reality knows things are not that bad. Your faith has shown me that.." She seemed to realize that she was singing aloud and glanced up at him to see his gentle smile. A small blush rose to her face and she folded the cover over in a small straight line underneath the pillows.

"You know, if you perform again, we may just be able to stay another night here.." Stephen commented.

"Really?!" Stephen chuckled at her excited tone. "I mean..." She mumbled, "you would be willing to do that?"

"I don't see why not. I still have to teach you how to fight with a sword now that you have one."

"I could probably win you some new weapons too," Dawn eyed his sword in his belt. "I saw something the other day when we were at the weapon's shop that I thought you'd like." Stephen tilted his head at the small, embarrassed tone at which she spoke. Dawn lifted up the shorts she had bought yesterday and slipped them underneath her dress. There was a small curl to her nose as she looked at the dress. "Probably could get me some new clothes too."

"Probably," Stephen answered as he held the door open for her. "Breakfast should be ready by now."

"The food won't kill me, will it?" Dawn asked. He fought off laughter and shook his head. A small sadness washed through Dawn as she realized what he was doing. He was reverting back to the Stephen from the marketplace. "How many other people will be eating with us, you figure?"

"A vampire couple and another demon couple." Dawn tilted her head as they started down the stairs.

"How do you know that?" She asked as she tromped down the stairs.

"They weren't exactly quiet..." Dawn blushed brightly as she caught his meaning.

"Oh! Ah...okay." A small chuckle came from him as he walked behind her. Dawn allowed herself a tiny smile at the sound.

"Good morning, dears!" The inn keeper greeted happily as she took the last of the dishes out of the stove. Dawn smiled geninuely in greeting. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked toward the table. Two vampires sat at the table along with two very angry looking demons.

"Ah..." Dawn whispered. "Stephen? You sure it's safe to sit at the table? They look ready to rip one another's throats out..."

"There's been a long line of bad blood between vampires and that type of demon," Stephen explained as he steered her toward the table. Dawn glanced back at to see him looking at her. His eyes told her what his mouth didn't: "I'll keep you safe." Dawn rewarded him a small smile as he pulled the chair out for her before taking his own seat.

"There you are, dears!" The inn keeper exclaimed as she placed the food on the table. Dawn's eyebrows furrowed as the inn keeper moved to walk away.

"Are you not going to eat with us, ma'am?" Dawn asked, unaware of her companions' shocked faces. The inn keeper smiled gently at her. Her unnatural blue eyes held a small light to them as she looked at Dawn.

"Thank you, my dear, but I do not eat human food." She patted Dawn's shoulder gently as she passed her to the exit of the inn.

"You're not from here, are you?" The male vampire asked. Dawn blushed and shook her head.

"Awe..look, Adam, she blushes..." The female vampire cooed as she hung from her boyfriend's shoulder. Adam smiled over at the vampire gently. Dawn suppressed a smile as she lifted her fork to her food. Stephen had long since began eating.

"So where are you from?" The large male demon asked, causing Dawn to jump. Dawn glanced toward Stephen. His dark red eyes seemed to stare straight into her. Dawn felt a small tug at her soul before the Key inside of her struck out and forced the demon out. Dawn's green eyes narrowed.

"I would appreicate it if you didn't try to pry around where you aren't wanted." Dawn's voice was kind, but her eyes were hard. The male demon glared back at her as he attempted not to let his pain at being forced out show. He felt as if his mind's eye had been burned by flame.

"Not many humans can tell when they," Adam spit out the 'they' as if it were one of the foulest curses on this dimension, "are prying around their souls." Dawn fought off the sickness that ran through her as she was once again reminded that she was not fully human, that there was a part of her mystical and powerful. 'I suppose some people would be thrilled to have such a power inside of them...but...' Dawn could still see the destruction and hear the shouts of her friends as they fought against the demons the portal she had opened let loose.
"Watch it, vampire," the male demon growled. Dawn cast a slightly nervous glance over at Stephen. He easily grabbed her hand underneath the table and squeezed.

"Don't worry, doll," the dark haired female vampire spoke to Dawn, "these demons are more bark than they are bite." At her words, the demons stood and lifted the vampires off their feet. Their fists poised to strike.

"If you're going to fight, please, take it outside. I don't believe the inn lady would like for her inn to be destoryed over some ancient squabble." Stephen spoke. The demons glanced over at him and then threw the vampires from the inn. Dawn allowed a giggle to break through her lips. Stephen glanced over at her as the demons stalked out after the vampire.

"Thank you, dear boy," the inn keeper spoke from behind him.

"Excuse me," Dawn started as she turned to walk away, "if you don't mind I would like to take you up on the offer to perform for another night in your inn and some weapons." The inn lady smiled brilliantly at her.

"I'll go get the demon that runs the weaponry as proof of your payment. Give me a second, dear." Dawn turned to Stephen as she bustled out of the inn.

"What was..." Dawn motioned to the departing lady with a slight wave of her hand.

"Your performance here with increase her business," Stephen explained gently. "Are you going to finish the song from earlier?"

"Now why would I do that, you've already heard the start..." Dawn bounced her pointer finger off of the tip of his nose. He caught her wrist and kissed the inside of it as the inn keeper and weaponry master came bustling inside. Dawn shook away her blush before turning around.

Stephen stood behind her and wondered just what it was that possessed him to suddenly do that. He hadn't thought about doing it. He shook his head as the demoness in front of them spoke.

"Go on, dear," the inn keeper said kindly.

"My name's Dawn, ma'am..." She said. "I would like for you to use it, if it's not imposing on anything." The inn keeper's smile widened as the weaponry master's eyes widened in shock. Dawn looked at him queerly. 'You'd think humans did show kindness to them..' She thought as she moved toward the stage. Stephen took a seat next to the weapons master.

"Quite a woman you found yourself, Stephen," the weapons master greeted upon sitting down.

"I'm aware," Stephen answered as he looked up at Dawn. His mind was still full of questions. 'I hope I didn't ruin anything we had going..' He thought as he stared up at her. Suddenly, her green eyes seemed to catch his brown, inquiring ones. She smiled slightly at him before taking a deep breathe.
"I wanna be the face you see when you close your eyes. I wanna be the touch you need every single night." Stephen almost laughed when the weapons master nudged him and winked. Dawn blushed as she caught sight of it. "I wanna be your fanasty and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. I want you to need me like I need you. I wanna be the eyes that look deep into your soul. I wanna be the world for you. I just want it all." Many more speices began pouring into the inn at her voice. Stephen fought off a smile as her face alit with joy. "I wanna your deepest kiss, the answer to your every wish, and all you ever need. I want you to need me like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you. Cause I need you more than you know and I need you to never, never let me go." Slight jealousy rushed through Stephen as he listened to her song. He propped his head up on his elbow as stared at her.

"Whoever this song is about is one lucky dog..." Adam spoke from beside him. Stephen almost jumped, but caught himself. Adam smiled cheekily at him through his blacked eye and busted lips. Stephen wondered for a moment how well the demons faired. His eyes traveled over to Adam's mate. She was clean of any injuries. It seemed to him that he had taken to burden of their hits for her. As if catching his gaze, Adam smiled. "Vampires love just as strongly as any human, mate." Stephen tlited his head in confusion. Adam smiled at seeing it. The older male shook his head.

"Love?" Stephen questioned. Adam smiled at the hope that the young boy let flash through his eyes as he looked over at the singing female. He shook his head.

"Not yet, mate, but you keep going like the two of you are..." He trailed off as he turned his eyes to her. "It could happen."

"How can you be so sure?" Stephen asked, allowing a small amount of the teen he was sink through to the surface. Adam took a moment to process and expell his shock. 'Maybe they were all wrong about this kid..' Adam thought.

"It's in the way she looks at you, mate, and in the way you look at her. The two of you are working toward something." Adam speculated. His own blue eyes drifted toward the singing woman. "And I'm sure that it'll be good for the both of you." Stephen sat beside him and sank all of the information in.

"So do you think she likes me?" He asked. Adam grinned cheekly over at him.

"You blind?" He asked. "She likes you, kid." Adam fought off slight laughter at the look of shock that touched Stephen's face. 'Oh, yeah, we were definately wrong about this kid. His heart isn't fully made of stone. Even if it was,' his eyes flicked back toward the girl, 'I bet you she'd be able to change it back to clay. Soft and caring.'

"I wanna be your fanasty and be your reality and everything between. I want you to need me like the air you breathe. I want you to feel me in everything. I want you to see me in your every dream. 'Cause, baby," her voice became more powerful as did the cheers. "I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you! I want you to need me like I need you. I want you to need me, like I need you, like I need you, like I need you... " (I Want You to Need Me, Celine Dion.)

Stephen pondered what Adam had said as she smiled at the crowd gently.

"Another will earn you a dress from my shop!" One female demon hollered out over the crowd. Dawn smiled happily.

"Then another it is!" She declared, the crowd cheered in answer. Dawn searched for Stephen in the large crowd. She smiled as she caught his eyes staring at her. Surprise coated her face as he smiled back. Her smile widened.

As she stood above the crowd, Dawn thought of a song that would fit them. A song that would fit the non-romantic night they shared. Finally, she found it.

"A man has his dreams. He hopes; he prays. He laughs; he cries. A man tries his best. Sometimes, he falls. A man does what he has to do and a woman does too." The women of the crowded clapped at that. Dawn smiled and sought Stephen's eyes again. "A man wants to love with all his heart. He's not afraid. A man needs someone to share his life. He wants someone to hold at night like, baby, I do. Yeah, a woman does too." Whistles broke from the crowd. Dawn laughed and shook her head. Stephen found himself captivated as he looked at her. His thoughts were running frantically through his head. All of them involved her and what they could be if only she would allow it. If only, he deserved her. "So, baby, lay down here beside me. Sometimes a man just needs two arms to fall into and if you wanna know the truth, a woman does too." Stephen's eyes widened slightly as he recalled last night when he had all but fell into hers. "A man has to be strong, standing tall to make his way. A man takes on the world, holds his ground. He has so much he has to prove and a woman does too. So, baby, lay down here beside me. Sometimes, a man just needs two arms to fall into and if you wanna know the truth...a woman does too...A woman does too. This woman does too.." (A Woman Does Too by Danielle Peck)

Stephen watched as the demons that offered Dawn items in turn for a song crowded around her. He swallowed as the rational fear that they would grab her and run filled him. He pushed his way through the crowd. Her hand reached out as he neared her. Without a second thought, he placed his hand in hers. She pulled him to her side while the demons surrounding her watched on. Only the inn keeper had a smile on her face. The others seemed to suddenly pale. Dawn smiled reassuringly at them.

"What type of clothing do you offer, ma'am?" Dawn asked the pale female demon. She tore her gaze away from Stephen's hard, cold ones.

"Every kind, miss. Men's pants, men's shirts, men's shorts," the female demon eyed the shorts that peaked through the slit at her thigh, "dresses. My shop's right next to the weaponry shop.." Dawn smiled.

"I'll stop by there after I go to the weaponry," Dawn promised.

"I'll be finding the color that fits you then," the demoness said with a bright smile.
"Thank you," the demoness' eyes widened as the thanks before a blinding smile broke out on her green face.

"You're welcome, dear.." Dawn looked at the demoness curiously as she turned to leave.

"Well then, follow me," the weaponry master said with a wide smile. Dawn fought off her fear reaction as she was greeted by very pointed teeth. She gripped Stephen's hand a little harder and followed the demon out of the inn.

Stephen glanced over at the increased grip to see her staring at the back of the weaponry master's head. A small smile threatened to curve his lips. He had reacted the same way when he had first met the weaponry master at eight years old. 'Just a few months before my father threw me on this island and told me I would have to fend for myself for a while.' Stephen thought with a slight bitterness.

"Here we are," the demon spoke cheerfully. Dawn smiled gently and pointed to two leather sword hoslters that looked as though they were made to wear on the wrists. Stephen couldn't help but admire the work of them. "Ah, very nice choice..." He praised as he picked them from the wall. "But a little large to fit on the wrists of a woman."

"It's not for me," Dawn answered with a small smile as she took the item from him.

"Ah," the weaponry master grinned. "Well, inside of those cases are two very sharp blades, whomever you give them too should be careful. They sit on the top of the forearm with the blade facing the back of the hand." Dawn tilted her head.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because they are built into the hoslters, they have no hilt." The weaponry master explained. Stephen's own shock at the intelligence behind the piece of work was well hidden, but as Dawn looked over at him. She could read it in his eyes. She had made the right choice.

"Oh, okay. Thank you, sir!" Dawn said with a smile. The rough demon's face softened at the thanks.

"You're welcome." Dawn was once again thoroughly confused by the demons' behavior. Still, Dawn cast one more smile at him before stepping toward the dress shop with Stephen in tow. He was vaguely aware of his friend's light laugh of shock as he was pulled away.